Isha Sharvani

Isha Sharvani (born September 29, 1984 in Gujarat, India) is a celebrated Indian contemporary dancer and actress renowned for her striking blend of classical Indian dance forms with aerial and modern techniques. The eldest daughter of acclaimed danseuse Daksha Sheth and Australian musician Dev Issaro, she was immersed in a multicultural artistic environment from an early age, moving across Ahmedabad, Delhi, Vrindavan, Bangalore, and eventually settling in Thiruvananthapuram where her parents founded the Academy for Art Research, Training and Innovation (AARTI). At thirteen she commenced formal training under her mother, mastering Kalaripayattu, Kathak, Chhau, and the folk Malkam style, while also learning percussion from her brother Tao Issaro. Over the next seven years she performed in more than twenty‑two countries, dedicating eight to ten hours daily to rigorous practice that shaped her unisex wardrobe and disciplined ethos, a lifestyle she described in an India Daily interview as “poles apart from the film industry.” Isha’s breakthrough onto the silver screen came when filmmaker Subhash Ghai cast her in the lead role of Kisna (2005), seeking a performer with formidable dance skills; although the film underperformed, it opened doors to further cinematic projects, including a notable appearance opposite Hrithik Roshan in a Parle Hide & Seek commercial and leading roles in Darwaza Bandh Rakho (2006) and the Malayalam short Esha (2013). After establishing herself as a versatile actress in Bollywood, Malayalam, and Tamil movies—most prominently in Iyobinte Pustakam (2014) and Double Barrel (2015)—she continued to prioritize dance, becoming the lead dancer of the Daksha Sheth Dance Company and captivating audiences worldwide in venues such as Mumbai, London, Perth, and Muscat. In 2012 she showcased her talent on the reality dance competition Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 5, earning widespread acclaim, and she remains a vibrant figure in contemporary Indian dance, merging tradition with innovation while nurturing the next generation of performers.